Vieillot, The White Golden Flycatcher, Print

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This handcolored antique print, titled 'Le Moucherolle doré', presents a portrayal of a flycatcher species, possibly the white golden flycatcher. … Read more This handcolored antique print, titled 'Le Moucherolle doré', presents a portrayal of a flycatcher species, possibly the white golden flycatcher. The bird is depicted perched gracefully on a tree branch, turned slightly to its left, allowing a clear view of its profile. The flycatcher's plumage is rendered with delicate coloration; a muted palette dominates, featuring soft yellows on the breast that transition to a gentle olive on the back and wings. Its head is detailed with a faintly darker hue, highlighting its vigilant expression and the subtle curve of its beak. The print bears the mark 'Le Moucherolle doré', followed by 'pl. 30', indicating its plate number in the collection. Additional inscriptions include 'Pretre pinx', 'Langlois sculp.', and 'Bouquet', signifying the artist, engraver, and colorist who contributed to this piece, linking it to 'Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux de l'Amerique Septentrionale' by Louis Jean Pierre Vieillot, published around 1807. Examining the print's condition reveals the inevitable signs of aging: there is noticeable foxing across the paper, a testament to its antique status. The paper exhibits a creamy, aged patina, with some spots and marks that speak to its long history. Despite these age-related marks, the image itself is remarkably well-preserved, with the coloring still vivid and the details of the bird's feathers and posture clearly discernible. This piece not only serves as a representation of the flycatcher but also as an enduring artifact of early 19th-century ornithological art and science. See less